Molecular imaging study reveals improved detection of early recurrent prostate cancer

A recently developed drug was significantly better at detecting recurring prostate cancer in early stages, in research published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. In the study, the imaging agent – Ga-68 prostate-specific membrane antigen (Ga-68 PSMA) – used with positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT), changed management in 44% more cases than another widely used agent.

“This is the first prospective comparative trial evaluating detection rates and management impact of the more widely available radiopharmaceutical F-18 fluoromethylcholine (FMC) and the recently developed Ga-68 PSMA PET tracer agent in men with prostate cancer,” said Joshua James Morigi, MD, lead author of the study. “We specifically addressed men with prostate cancer and low PSA levels, at which current imaging techniques struggle in detecting disease.” Read more.